Granules with reduced dust potential comprising an antifoam agent

Abstract

A granule with an allergenic component has reduced dust by including antifoam added during the production of the granule. The antifoam may be dispersed throughout the granule or added to one of the components of the granule. The granule with antifoam produces at least 30% less dust than a comparable granule produced according to a process in which no antifoam is added.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A granule for use in solid formulations comprising: a core; an admixture of an allergenic agent and antifoaming agent surrounding the core; wherein the granule has at least 10% less dust as measured by a Heubach test than a granule without the antifoaming agent prepared by an identical process, wherein the antifoaming agent comprises a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and wherein the antifoaming agent comprises about 0.25%-10% w/w of the granule. 
     
     
       2. The granule of  claim 1  further comprising a coating surrounding the admixture of the allergenic agent and antifoaming agent layer. 
     
     
       3. The granule of  claim 1  further comprising a barrier layer between the allergenic agent and antifoaming agent surrounding the core and the coating. 
     
     
       4. The granule of  claim 1  wherein the admixture of the allergenic agent and antifoaming agent further comprises one or more barrier materials. 
     
     
       5. The granule of  claim 2  wherein the coating comprises at least one of a plasticizer, an anti-agglomeration agent, a film-forming polymer, an extender, a lubricant, and a pigment. 
     
     
       6. The granule of  claim 2  wherein the coating comprises at least one plasticizer and at least on anti-agglomeration agent. 
     
     
       7. The granule of  claim 2  wherein the coating comprises an antifoaming agent. 
     
     
       8. The granule of  claim 2  wherein the coating comprises at least one inner coating and an outer coating. 
     
     
       9. The granule of  claim 1  wherein the allergenic component comprises an enzyme or protein. 
     
     
       10. A granule for use in solid formulations comprising: a core particle; an admixture of an allergenic component and antifoaming agent surrounding the core particle; a coating surrounding the admixture, the coating comprising an antifoaming agent and at least one barrier material, wherein the granule has at least 10% less dust as measured by a Heubach test than a granule without the antifoaming agent prepared by an identical process, wherein the antifoaming agent comprises a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and wherein the antifoaming agent comprises about 0.25%-10% w/w of the granule. 
     
     
       11. The granule of  claim 10  further comprising an outer coating surrounding the coating. 
     
     
       12. The granule of  claim 10  wherein the admixture further comprises at least one barrier material and the coating further comprises a lubricant and a pigment. 
     
     
       13. The granule of  claim 11  wherein the outer coating comprises a plasticizer and a film-forming polymer. 
     
     
       14. The granule of  claim 10  wherein the allergenic component comprises an enzyme or protein. 
     
     
       15. A granule for use in solid formulations comprising: a core; an allergenic component surrounding the core; a coating surrounding the allergenic component, the coating comprising at least one barrier material, and an outer coating comprising at least an anti-foaming agent, wherein the granule has at least 10% less dust as measured by a Heubach test than a granule without the antifoaming agent prepared by an identical process, wherein the antifoaming agent comprises a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and wherein the antifoaming agent comprises about 0.25%-10% w/w of the granule. 
     
     
       16. The granule of  claim 15  wherein the coating further comprises two barrier materials, a lubricant and a pigment. 
     
     
       17. The granule of  claim 15  wherein the outer coating further comprises a film-forming polymer and a plasticizer. 
     
     
       18. The granule of  claim 15  wherein the allergenic component comprises an enzyme or protein.